Graduate Product & Licensing Executive – Sports sector
Our client is an International UK-based designer and supplier of officially licensed sports merchandise. Working with some of the biggest names in the sporting sector – including Premier League and Scottish football clubs, the NFL, UEFA and FIFA.
We are a close-knit, fast-moving team where graduates get real responsibility early and see their work on shelves and in club shops.
Job Title: Graduate Product & Licensing Executive – Sports sector
Department: Licensed Sports – Product Licensing
Reports to: Product Manager
The role
You will keep licensed sports ranges moving from design to delivery. Working alongside the product, design and sourcing teams, you will manage licensor approvals, get approved artwork to our factories, and track every product against its critical path – chasing where needed so launches land on time.
This is an ideal first step for a graduate who loves sport and wants a career in product development, licensing or sourcing.
Please note this role is available to start NOW – so we are looking at candidates who have already graduated.
Key responsibilities
Licensing approvals
- Submit concepts, artwork, pre-production and production samples to licensors through their approval portals
- Track every submission, record feedback and make sure comments are actioned before resubmitting
- Keep an accurate approvals log so nothing goes into production without sign-off
- Make sure products meet each licensor's brand guidelines, including logos, trademarks, hologram and labelling requirements
Artwork and factory liaison
- Send approved artwork, tech packs and specifications to factories, checking they are the final approved versions
- Follow up with factories on samples, colour matching and packaging proofs
- Check samples against approved artwork and flag any differences early
Critical path management
- Build and maintain critical paths for each range, from concept to shipment
- Monitor key dates – approvals, sampling, production, delivery – and flag risks to the Product Manager
- Chase licensors, factories and internal teams to keep projects on schedule
- Give clear, regular status updates to the wider team
Product and commercial support
- Help with range planning, product briefs and new product development
- Maintain product and SKU information, including costings and product data sheets
- Support licensing admin such as product submissions, royalty reporting data and contract compliance checks
- Keep up with trends across sport, licensing and retail
About you essential
- A keen interest in sport –follower of football, the NFL or other major sports and understand what fans want
- A degree (or equivalent) in any subject; business, product design, marketing or fashion are a plus
- Excellent organisation –ability to juggle lots of products, deadlines and people at once
- Strong attention to detail, especially when checking artwork, logos and specifications
- Confident, clear communication by email and phone, including with overseas suppliers
- The persistence to chase politely until you get an answer
- Good Excel skills and comfortable learning new systems
Desirable
- Work experience or an internship in product, buying, merchandising, licensing or sourcing
- Some understanding of how products are made and shipped from overseas factories
What we offer and how to apply
- Hands-on training across product development, licensing and sourcing
- Exposure to some of the world's biggest sports brands
- A clear path to progress into a Product Manager role
SALARY: £26,000-29,000 DOE
HOURS OF WORK: 9 – 5.30 Monday – Thursday, 9 – 4pm Friday (1 hour lunch)
- 22 days holiday plus bank holiday
- Company pension (Aviva)
HEALTH AND SAFETY: No issues to report
INTERVIEW PROCESS
1st stage - Face to face interview at the office 2nd Stage – Task and presentation (relevant to role)
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Graduate Product & Licensing Executive – Sports sector in Dunstable employer: Graduate (The)
Join a dynamic charity foundation that is dedicated to empowering over 6,500 young people in London each week, with exciting new initiatives launching in Leicester. As an employer, we offer a supportive work culture that values responsibility and growth, providing you with the opportunity to make a tangible impact in the community while collaborating closely with a passionate team. With regular visits to our London office and a commitment to professional development, this role is perfect for those looking to transition from the corporate world into meaningful work that truly makes a difference.
